Deal for Robidas may set up another

EDMONTON — Pretty soon, three years in the NHL will qualify a player as a grizzled veteran for the Blackhawks.

The Hawks lost yet another veteran Monday, this time not to injury but to a trade.

The Hawks sent defenseman Jon Klemm, 33, and a fourth-round pick to Dallas for Stephane Robidas, 26, and a second-round pick.

"[We're] trading an older player like Klemm, who's been a darn good foot soldier for us," coach Brian Sutter said. "We're getting a younger guy who's quite mobile and wants to establish himself playing in the NHL."

Klemm was averaging 21 minutes 21 seconds of playing time per game and was a plus-6. Robidas was averaging 10 minutes with the Stars. He had one goal and was a minus-2.

Klemm was in the final year of a contract worth $2.5 million this season. It's unlikely the Hawks would have re-signed him.

Robidas is making only $727,502, and the Hawks hope he can add some skill and playmaking ability to a defensive corps lacking both.

"[Robidas] can skate," Hawks assistant general manager Dale Tallon said. "He gives us some energy on the back end. He'll be good on the second unit of the power play. He's an energy guy with speed."

Sutter hinted that this deal might lay the groundwork for a future deal that GM Bob Pulford is trying to make.

The second-round pick may be the key to any future deal. The Hawks have seven picks in the first four rounds of next June's draft.

"I don't think it's fair to look at what's going on today and assess it today," Sutter said. "Mr. Pulford is trying to do something--not with this trade--but things that are going to happen down the road."

Pulford is scouting other teams while the Hawks are in the West.

"Pully has talked about doing something," Tallon said. "It's a matter of what's out there."

The Hawks also sent forward Pavel Vorobiev to Norfolk of the American Hockey League. Vorobiev had a goal and three assists in 16 games.

"[Norfolk] can use some help offensively, and I think it's a good fit for him," Tallon said. "It will give him some confidence, and he'll play a lot of minutes."